Tower crane climbing

Abstract

A tower crane and method of climbing the crane. The tower of the crane is initially stabilized at an elevated location, and the tower is released from a base frame supporting its base and elevated to place its base on an upper frame, the base frame is then elevated, and the tower is then dropped to place it on the newly positioned base frame with the upper frame then used to laterally stabilize the tower with the crane in operative condition.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters patent is: 
     
       1. A method of climbing a tower crane having a stationarily positioned base frame adjacent and supporting the base of the tower in the crane and a stationarily positioned upper frame spaced upwardly from the base frame supporting the tower at a location disposed above the base frame, the method comprising providing lateral stabilizing structure for the tower at a location elevated above the location supported by the upper frame,   elevating the tower to place its base adjacent the upper frame and then securing the tower to the upper frame,   freeing the base frame of its stationary positioning and elevating the base frame to a location more nearly under the upper frame with the base frame then being reestablished in a stationary position, and   releasing the tower from the upper frame and then dropping the tower on the base frame.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, which further comprises elevating the upper frame after dropping of the tower whereby it provides support for the tower at a location disposed above the base frame. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1, wherein elevating of the tower is performed by climbing the tower on ladder structure depending from the upper frame. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3, wherein the base frame is elevated to its position more nearly under the upper frame by moving the base frame upwardly about the outside of the ladder structure. 
     
     
       5. In the construction of a building with floors, a method of climbing a tower crane having a base frame attached thereto which supports the tower in the crane at one floor level, and an upper frame supporting the tower at a location disposed above the floor level of the base frame, the method comprising securing a stabilizing frame to the building whereby such provides lateral support for the tower at a location elevated above said upper frame,   freeing the tower from said base frame and elevating the tower to place its base on the upper frame,   elevating the base frame to another floor level disposed more nearly under the upper frame and securing said base frame to the building, and   dropping the tower on the base frame and securing the base of the tower to said base frame at said other floor level.   
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5, wherein the upper frame is secured initially to the building at a floor level, and before elevating the tower the upper frame is released from the building and secured to the building at a location elevated from this floor level, and said base frame is elevated to the floor level originally occupied by the upper frame where such is secured to the building. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 6, wherein after dropping of the tower and securing the same to the base frame, the upper frame is elevated to a floor level and secured to the building. 
     
     
       8. The method of claim 7, wherein the stabilizing frame is originally secured to the building above the floor level occupied by the upper frame after the latter has been elevated to a floor level and secured to the building. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim 9, wherein the tower is elevated by climbing the tower on a ladder structure depending from the upper frame. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 9, wherein the base frame is elevated by moving the same upwardly about the outside of the depending ladder structure. 
     
     
       11. A method of climbing a tower crane which includes a tower and a crane boom supported at the top of the tower, utilizing a base frame, an upper frame, and a stabilizing frame spaced in that order at different elevations disposed upwardly along the length of the tower in the crane, the method comprising repositioning the upper frame and stabilizing frame upwardly in the building with the stabilizing frame as repositioned located above the upper frame,   elevating the crane including the tower and boom utilizing the upper frame as repositioned to support the mass of the crane during said elevating, and   after elevating the crane securing the base of the tower in place utilizing in said securement said base frame.   
     
     
       12. The method of claim 11, wherein elevating of the crane is done with final positioning of the base of the tower at a location disposed below the level of the upper frame, and the base frame in said securement is below the upper frame.